A Rock Island teenager received national recognition for her volunteerism.
Royal Neighbors of America hosted a reception on Thursday, August 15, 2013 to honor Taylor Smith as the 2013 Fraternalist of the Year.
“I’m truly honored, and blessed, and very surprised,” Smith said.
Smith is a founding member of the Jacksonville, Illinois chapter for the organization. She served as chairman for several events during the year and worked to raise money, and collect food, clothing for various community groups.
“We are the future,” said Smith. “We need to start something now and hopefully later on as we grow up and have a family of our own, it’s something we can give to our kids.”
At Illinois College, Smith is a cheerleader, a member of the Peer Health Educator Team, and is on the Dean’s list. Recently the Rock Island-native was accepted into the Disney College Internship Program for the 2013 fall semester, and will spend a busy five months in Orlando, Florida.
“I don’t know what I would do with myself if I wasn’t busy,” she said.